When I was on a mission trip in Australia, that saying was one of my favorite takeaways not to mention all the fabulous food :) ...the thing is I worry, I have anxiety sometimes about the craziest things. My hubs says its because of how introverted I am, nevertheless I worry. I have been striving over the last few years to turn those worries over to God and just let go, trust him in all things. Man its hard, but every time I feel it coming on I start praying about the very thing I'm worrying about, and instead of dwelling, I begin to tell God all the things I'm thankful for. It helps a lot. In some ways it seems to be getting better but really it has only gotten worse over the years...my boys give me a lot of things to be anxious and worry about...
Well a few weeks ago, I heard words out of my sweet 4 year olds mouth I wasn't expecting to hear. We had just got back from our Christmas trip and he said, "mom I'm worried about grandma and grandpa bill." NOOOOO!!!! Dear Jesus I don't want to pass this on....But instead of reacting (thankfully), I began asking, I asked him why he was worried, he said because they were alone, because we weren't there. I told him, that grandma and grandpa were doing great, that they missed us but there was no reason to worry and I told him that when I worry, I pray for what I'm worrying about, so we walked through it, Jesus be with grandma and grandpa...and we moved forward
A few days later we were talking about one of his friends that he wanted to go see, after telling him that his friend and his mom were on a trip, he dropped it. The following day he said, "mom I'm worried about my friend Micah and Mrs. Brigitte." I asked him what we do when we worry or feel worried about people and he said "pray".....AHHHHH this one an epic mommy moment I couldn't have been more proud of him, thank you Jesus!!....so that's what we did we said a quick prayer for God to protect our friends and to get them home safely and like all four year olds he moved on.
I'm grateful for these moments, I don't like that my boy worries but its not surprising either. It truly is amazing what all they inherit from us. I'm grateful for my journey with worry because without it, I wouldn't have the same advice for him.
The other day I was with a group of friends and we were discussing Romans 8:28, but really I love this portion of scripture...good stuff.
Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
My anxiety and worry is unprecedented because I have the God of the universe who loves me dearly and can handle so much more than my insignificant worries. The beautiful thing, he cares about each and every one of our cares, worry's, and desires. He longs for us to bring those before him and seek him in our human finiteness. He knows us fully and intimately, he knows how many hairs are on our heads, all the tears that have fallen.
So no matter your worries or mine, God's got it and he is working his plan together for the greater good, even though it doesn't often look like that. I mean just a few verses before Romans 8:28 in Romans 8:22-28 it says:
We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. No only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what we already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit., because the Spirit intercedes for God's people in accordance with the will of God.
Thank you God for loving us so much to know that we need someone to go before us on our behalf who knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows my worries and anxious thoughts and not only does he bring me peace and thanksgiving, he intercedes for me, always working things for the greatest good.
So to all my fellow worriers, take heart, see God and ask how you can best deal with your worry and anxiety, and lean in to that guidance.
Peace be with you and prayers for you. No worries friend our God is bigger.
Thursday, January 29, 2015
Saturday, January 24, 2015
Running Buddy
I run now...that is still weird to think/say. I have heard the expression countless times about how life is like a race, 5k, sprint, marathon, you name it.
I'd say life is like a marathon, from what I know about them from being married to a marathoner. Here's why...
You see a marathon, like life has many different stages. First you start your marathon journey by training...growing up...Then you have the few days prior to the race where you prepare your body and your brain for the upcoming miles, you rest, you take away the miles so your body rebuilds...your young adult life...Next the race, in the beginning of the race you often wonder WHY AM I RUNNING?? how much further do I have? Am I really ready for this? Did I train enough? Am I a good enough runner? ...again id say young adult life...
Then you get comfortable you find your groove, you find your pace group and you start feeling like you can do this. you know this season in life where you start getting the hang of things, learning from mistakes, kids chill out for a while, find a career you enjoy, good friends...
Next comes the wall, your body literally wants to stop, you think in your brain, there is NO possible way for me to take another step forward let alone finish this race. This is just not going to happen....mid life crisis (need I say more)
Then you blast through that wall, you get fuel on board, you find your focus, that drive that was hiding comes out and you find the perseverance to push yourself forward to your goal. I'm going to lump the last part of life in here..
Last but not least Finishing...oh man can you fathom you have come 25 miles you see that GLORIOUS 26 mile marker and KNOW you got this...all you have is .2 miles. .2 that's it. holy cow 26 miles I've ran 26 miles. There is a beautiful thing that happens between 26 and the finish line that's my favorite place to be well almost my favorite...(technically its where families are reunited but i'll get there) You see as you are waiting to witness your loved one cross the finish line you see all these people who have just overcome, conquered themselves, learned something powerful, you see raw, real, perseverance. You see first timers all the way to seasoned veterans who are driven to conquer that small voice that tells them they cant. I imagine that is how life is as you age, that as you look back you see all that you accomplished, all that you have overcome, the self doubt, the difficult times but the sweet moments of the conquered hills and miles that have passed. After you finish you get to meet up with those who love you and have come out to cheer you on, there are lots of tears here, lots of joy...
the other thing is, is your running buddy, oh I couldn't do it without my run buddy...we have all been on those runs alone where its so hard to keep moving forward....my run buddy keeps me accountable, she keeps me going when I want to stop because every muscle in my legs hurt. The cool thing about having a run buddy in the middle of the marathon especially when you hit your wall is they keep you grounded, they remind you that you can keep going, that you have what it takes all you have to do is get some fuel and refocus.
I love my run buddies, the ones that run with me, the ones that are just living life alongside me, encouraging me, helping me become a better mom and wife, a better follower of Jesus, oh my run buddies, I'm so grateful for God for putting them in my life.
Another reason I Love these run buddies we have alongside us...last week we had our youngest little boy in church with us and we also took him to our sunday school class, instead of these sweet Jesus loving people being annoyed that our rambunctious 2 year old was in there they embraced him, loved on him, played with him, sat with him, oh it was such a sweet time, it blessed my heart. I couldn't do it without these friends.
Hebrews 12:1-3
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinner, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
I'd say life is like a marathon, from what I know about them from being married to a marathoner. Here's why...
You see a marathon, like life has many different stages. First you start your marathon journey by training...growing up...Then you have the few days prior to the race where you prepare your body and your brain for the upcoming miles, you rest, you take away the miles so your body rebuilds...your young adult life...Next the race, in the beginning of the race you often wonder WHY AM I RUNNING?? how much further do I have? Am I really ready for this? Did I train enough? Am I a good enough runner? ...again id say young adult life...
Then you get comfortable you find your groove, you find your pace group and you start feeling like you can do this. you know this season in life where you start getting the hang of things, learning from mistakes, kids chill out for a while, find a career you enjoy, good friends...
Next comes the wall, your body literally wants to stop, you think in your brain, there is NO possible way for me to take another step forward let alone finish this race. This is just not going to happen....mid life crisis (need I say more)
Then you blast through that wall, you get fuel on board, you find your focus, that drive that was hiding comes out and you find the perseverance to push yourself forward to your goal. I'm going to lump the last part of life in here..
Last but not least Finishing...oh man can you fathom you have come 25 miles you see that GLORIOUS 26 mile marker and KNOW you got this...all you have is .2 miles. .2 that's it. holy cow 26 miles I've ran 26 miles. There is a beautiful thing that happens between 26 and the finish line that's my favorite place to be well almost my favorite...(technically its where families are reunited but i'll get there) You see as you are waiting to witness your loved one cross the finish line you see all these people who have just overcome, conquered themselves, learned something powerful, you see raw, real, perseverance. You see first timers all the way to seasoned veterans who are driven to conquer that small voice that tells them they cant. I imagine that is how life is as you age, that as you look back you see all that you accomplished, all that you have overcome, the self doubt, the difficult times but the sweet moments of the conquered hills and miles that have passed. After you finish you get to meet up with those who love you and have come out to cheer you on, there are lots of tears here, lots of joy...
the other thing is, is your running buddy, oh I couldn't do it without my run buddy...we have all been on those runs alone where its so hard to keep moving forward....my run buddy keeps me accountable, she keeps me going when I want to stop because every muscle in my legs hurt. The cool thing about having a run buddy in the middle of the marathon especially when you hit your wall is they keep you grounded, they remind you that you can keep going, that you have what it takes all you have to do is get some fuel and refocus.
I love my run buddies, the ones that run with me, the ones that are just living life alongside me, encouraging me, helping me become a better mom and wife, a better follower of Jesus, oh my run buddies, I'm so grateful for God for putting them in my life.
Another reason I Love these run buddies we have alongside us...last week we had our youngest little boy in church with us and we also took him to our sunday school class, instead of these sweet Jesus loving people being annoyed that our rambunctious 2 year old was in there they embraced him, loved on him, played with him, sat with him, oh it was such a sweet time, it blessed my heart. I couldn't do it without these friends.
Hebrews 12:1-3
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinner, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
true confessions tuesday
Ok let me just tell you, when you sit down with friends and you have an epiphany about how you feel like you don't measure up to others facebook update worthy wins, you decide that real life posts are actually where its at. I mean everyone appreciates our vacay pics, potty training, made it through the store without a meltdown, moms weekends away or the ever epic I did this to make a huge difference in our world posts. I enjoy reading those but let me tell you there are some very real life changing days happening down here in the trenches with my littles...however they aren't pretty, and ninety percent of the time not what you would consider facebook worthy. SOOO I had a "brilliant" idea. lets make these real life trench moments facebook worthy, and better yet lets name this #tct #trueconfessionstuesday I set out the challenge and within and hour I had some pretty epic facebook worthy stuff going down in the playroom. Well lets just say I haven't had a short supply of these moments in the last few weeks. Just one of those seasons we go through in parenting. Man oh man today was bigger than facebook worthy it made it all the way to blog-worthy...today started like any other Tuesday, both boys woke up early and were in pretty good moods, so I decided that I would shower before bible study, since we were ahead of schedule I figured this was a fairly "safe" decision. not only was I wrong about this but this day started spiraling and fast. C came in crying because J hit him...you know the drill, so we keep trucking forward everyone keeps getting ready and I'm throwing the boys lunches together when I see something suspicious happening in the playroom...I knew they were up to something but I didn't want to know at all I wanted to just turn and run because its never ever a good sign when they are hiding behind those curtains in the playroom...
Chocolate syrup...so much chocolate syrup
all over the window frame and on the carpet...now we aren't on time at all and things just got complicated. deep breath. don't over react. don't yell. don't yell. breathe. I cleaned it up as best I could temporarily and tried to figure out how to handle their consequence. talked with my mommy friends, and my hubs. Tried to remain positive about how the rest of the day will turn out.
haha it got worse...
to spare you all the details, I had to go buy some more hand soap, and we had to clean up their bedroom...the best words I heard all day were when my hubs got home and told me he would make dinner while I went to run errands to restock everything that was emptied during our boys undoing today....
mommy time...quiet...just me, music and my Jesus...peace
You see life happens and you notice it more when you are looking for opportunities to share. Just like you start noticing all the cars that are just like yours once you buy a new one?! So life happens, I wanted to be a better mom this year, to stop yelling, to use other ways to discipline my boys, better ways to be their mom. I've had plenty of opportunities to use the new resources, and even more reasons to delve deeper into them. Lots of reasons to rely on Jesus more everyday. To lean on the holy spirit who knows my boys inmost being and he knows exactly what they need and when. He also knows what this mommy needs. I need those genuine relationships where we can talk about crappy days and lift each other up, encourage one another and stand together and fight for our kiddos.
I'm reminded about the love Jesus has for me and the grace that so abounds in his love for me. He is ever patient with me, when I over react, when I yell and when I make bad choices. I get to offer that same grace and love to my boys. I was reminded today that no matter what these boys do, there is absolutely nothing they can do that can make me love them any less. How much truer is that about Jesus' love for us??
So today even though I felt like I was drowning, I could keep my eyes above the ways, I could fix my eyes on Jesus and lean on the fact that in him there is nothing I cant handle, on my own I crash and burn quite fast.
As I pulled into the drive way Hillsongs' Oceans (Where feet may fail) came on. man that song speaks to my heart.
Peace be with you...I'm praying for you. You got this. If God brings you to it he will bring you through it as long as you keep your eyes on him. Don't forget to look up above the waves, to the one who can plant your feet firmly on top of the water.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1m_sWJQm2fs
Chocolate syrup...so much chocolate syrup
all over the window frame and on the carpet...now we aren't on time at all and things just got complicated. deep breath. don't over react. don't yell. don't yell. breathe. I cleaned it up as best I could temporarily and tried to figure out how to handle their consequence. talked with my mommy friends, and my hubs. Tried to remain positive about how the rest of the day will turn out.
haha it got worse...
to spare you all the details, I had to go buy some more hand soap, and we had to clean up their bedroom...the best words I heard all day were when my hubs got home and told me he would make dinner while I went to run errands to restock everything that was emptied during our boys undoing today....
mommy time...quiet...just me, music and my Jesus...peace
You see life happens and you notice it more when you are looking for opportunities to share. Just like you start noticing all the cars that are just like yours once you buy a new one?! So life happens, I wanted to be a better mom this year, to stop yelling, to use other ways to discipline my boys, better ways to be their mom. I've had plenty of opportunities to use the new resources, and even more reasons to delve deeper into them. Lots of reasons to rely on Jesus more everyday. To lean on the holy spirit who knows my boys inmost being and he knows exactly what they need and when. He also knows what this mommy needs. I need those genuine relationships where we can talk about crappy days and lift each other up, encourage one another and stand together and fight for our kiddos.
I'm reminded about the love Jesus has for me and the grace that so abounds in his love for me. He is ever patient with me, when I over react, when I yell and when I make bad choices. I get to offer that same grace and love to my boys. I was reminded today that no matter what these boys do, there is absolutely nothing they can do that can make me love them any less. How much truer is that about Jesus' love for us??
So today even though I felt like I was drowning, I could keep my eyes above the ways, I could fix my eyes on Jesus and lean on the fact that in him there is nothing I cant handle, on my own I crash and burn quite fast.
As I pulled into the drive way Hillsongs' Oceans (Where feet may fail) came on. man that song speaks to my heart.
Peace be with you...I'm praying for you. You got this. If God brings you to it he will bring you through it as long as you keep your eyes on him. Don't forget to look up above the waves, to the one who can plant your feet firmly on top of the water.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1m_sWJQm2fs
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
Fail...or so i thought
As many of you may know I'm optimistic to a fault...almost ninety percent of the time. The other ten percent is evened out by my equally optimistic husband. Except you see you when I'm running apparently. Every negative thought comes into my brain, all the negative self talk that I've worked for years to overcome, comes flowing back. I doubt myself and man oh man I complain...I feel really bad for my run buddy. It really is thanks to her I'm actually running at all, because another thing most people know about me is that my husband runs and not me...well apparently we are both runners. I'm just as surprised as you are right now.
We took it slow getting into running. She didn't think she could do it and I knew if it was something she wanted to do, that she could do it...no doubt. I knew I would have to follow a plan or I'd end up on the sideline after 3 days of running. So we found a plan and started...slowly but surely, starting with intervals working up through the longer intervals to where we are today. Yesterday we ran for 30 minutes and it felt great. However, let me back up to the reason I actually set down to write this...after all the title is "fail" and that is obviously not where we are right now.
So we had been doing really good, following plan, running 3 days a week, rain, cold or warm, even thanksgiving day we ran...Then came Christmas travels and all the busyness that comes with the holiday season. So I missed some runs, I tried to run and due to a cold ended up only running for 10 mins...so by the time we got home and were able to run our 30 min runs seemed like an eternity and every part of my body ached and I regretted the day I agreed to run...all that self doubt and negative self talk came back with a vengeance for about 2 weeks...it was awful I couldn't figure out what had changed, the best part?! Just when I didn't think it could get any worse...I tanked I was congested, I probably shouldn't haven been running but I couldn't miss another one, so there I was 10-15 mins in and my body decides it cant go any further. I cant breathe all the stuff that is keeping me congested wont move, so I stop, I was so frustrated but she graciously stopped running with me and we walked and talked, about Jesus, about what God was doing in our lives, about what God was teaching us...after about half a mile I felt better and we finished...but I felt defeated. How can it go from such a good place to me not even feeling like I could finish?? I left that run with a big red F ... I just couldn't understand ... I sulked but moved on no use in dwelling.... right??
Reluctantly we got back out there I mean we do have a race coming up so we have to keep going, plus she is counting on me...accountability can be such a pain sometimes but man its necessary. We started our run and it wasn't feeling too bad but my shin was bothering me and I was just begging God to not let it develop into shin splints...then my knee...then my hip...cue doubt and sulking...but I tried to keep quiet, no need to be negative and share that...As we were running she asked about our bible study that we had just started that morning. I gave her a "quick" synopsis in between breaths and we slowed our pace a little so I wasn't gasping for air between sentences. I noticed a change in our run, in how I was feeling, in the ease of the run. We weren't focusing inward, we shifted it off the doubt and turned it on Jesus. I tell you what, Jesus met us and even though we had to make a pit stop it felt effortless to start up again to keep going.
I lost my focus...I let my sight be set on me and my petty issues instead of the transformation that can come from the deep Jesus moments you can have with a friend on a run. Jesus...oh our sweet sweet Jesus just meets us where we are and joins us. He helps us see how trivial these annoyances are and how we can overcome. You see I am an overcomer, a conqueror, a co-heir with Jesus, I'm a daughter, fully loved and fully forgiven. Those things are true. Thank you Jesus for reminding me that all I really want and need is you.
Failure isn't at all what it seems most of the time, but what failure can do is suffocate if we let it. Don't ever let anyone tell you, that you are a failure, that there is no hope for redemption or a future and that you should quit because that isn't truth. Its only a true fail, if we fail to see Jesus, if we stay there in the failure. Look up and out. Jesus is so much bigger than the circumstances you see yourself in.
We took it slow getting into running. She didn't think she could do it and I knew if it was something she wanted to do, that she could do it...no doubt. I knew I would have to follow a plan or I'd end up on the sideline after 3 days of running. So we found a plan and started...slowly but surely, starting with intervals working up through the longer intervals to where we are today. Yesterday we ran for 30 minutes and it felt great. However, let me back up to the reason I actually set down to write this...after all the title is "fail" and that is obviously not where we are right now.
So we had been doing really good, following plan, running 3 days a week, rain, cold or warm, even thanksgiving day we ran...Then came Christmas travels and all the busyness that comes with the holiday season. So I missed some runs, I tried to run and due to a cold ended up only running for 10 mins...so by the time we got home and were able to run our 30 min runs seemed like an eternity and every part of my body ached and I regretted the day I agreed to run...all that self doubt and negative self talk came back with a vengeance for about 2 weeks...it was awful I couldn't figure out what had changed, the best part?! Just when I didn't think it could get any worse...I tanked I was congested, I probably shouldn't haven been running but I couldn't miss another one, so there I was 10-15 mins in and my body decides it cant go any further. I cant breathe all the stuff that is keeping me congested wont move, so I stop, I was so frustrated but she graciously stopped running with me and we walked and talked, about Jesus, about what God was doing in our lives, about what God was teaching us...after about half a mile I felt better and we finished...but I felt defeated. How can it go from such a good place to me not even feeling like I could finish?? I left that run with a big red F ... I just couldn't understand ... I sulked but moved on no use in dwelling.... right??
Reluctantly we got back out there I mean we do have a race coming up so we have to keep going, plus she is counting on me...accountability can be such a pain sometimes but man its necessary. We started our run and it wasn't feeling too bad but my shin was bothering me and I was just begging God to not let it develop into shin splints...then my knee...then my hip...cue doubt and sulking...but I tried to keep quiet, no need to be negative and share that...As we were running she asked about our bible study that we had just started that morning. I gave her a "quick" synopsis in between breaths and we slowed our pace a little so I wasn't gasping for air between sentences. I noticed a change in our run, in how I was feeling, in the ease of the run. We weren't focusing inward, we shifted it off the doubt and turned it on Jesus. I tell you what, Jesus met us and even though we had to make a pit stop it felt effortless to start up again to keep going.
I lost my focus...I let my sight be set on me and my petty issues instead of the transformation that can come from the deep Jesus moments you can have with a friend on a run. Jesus...oh our sweet sweet Jesus just meets us where we are and joins us. He helps us see how trivial these annoyances are and how we can overcome. You see I am an overcomer, a conqueror, a co-heir with Jesus, I'm a daughter, fully loved and fully forgiven. Those things are true. Thank you Jesus for reminding me that all I really want and need is you.
Failure isn't at all what it seems most of the time, but what failure can do is suffocate if we let it. Don't ever let anyone tell you, that you are a failure, that there is no hope for redemption or a future and that you should quit because that isn't truth. Its only a true fail, if we fail to see Jesus, if we stay there in the failure. Look up and out. Jesus is so much bigger than the circumstances you see yourself in.
Saturday, January 10, 2015
Happy New Year
Its a new year...so much to look forward to. One of my favorite parts of the end of a year and the beginning of a new year is looking back on the year that just ended to see what I can do better, improve on, or continue doing. Self reflection always helps you grow, the hard part is discerning which habits are worth keeping and which ones need to go. Usually we get caught up in resolutions, twenty things we are going to change and how to be better. I don't know about you but these resolutions don't stick around long because they are me powered, they are angela will powered...haha that doesn't go near as far as it needs to most of the time.
So we pray through these resolutions, these changes we feel need to take place to help us be better. One morning, it was New Years Day, I saw a friend post on facebook, how her daughter asked her what her new years revolutions were. Revolution...she said she laughed...but then she got to thinking and praying about what that revolution would be and what it would look like. she said it looks like Jesus, Jesus revolutionizing us, our hearts, our lives, our habits, our relationships. Seeking God first, seeking his priorities, his will for us. Those things, those resolutions or revolutions will stick, those will transform lives. Those will make the biggest difference and make us the best us possible. Revolutions...this facebook post stayed with me...as most of hers do. You really should follow Jackie Hooks on Facebook. Its so inspiring how she loves Jesus, because Jesus is big, much bigger than we often give him credit for. Each day as I have been pursuing what God has in store for this year that has stuck with me.
The great thing about life is its ever changing, even if you are at a place you want to change just give it time it will, the crazy thing about the change is most of the time it isn't necessarily what you want it to be. The only way to ensure that it is the change you want, initiate it, pursue it, and get comfortable in the midst of it, pray through it, lean in and push forward. In the last seven years that's what I've learned about change, resolutions. I know that God has big adventures ahead for us this year and the years to come. As I was thinking on these things and talking with friends about what we can do to be better mommas for our kids, and just to be better. The struggle is real and intense most days especially when your in the trenches just praying you're making the right choices and making a difference in your children's lives.
The thing we all struggled with was comparing ourselves to others. You know, you have those friends who are throwing pintrest parties, having facebook worthy posts about their family life every day, hitting the mark, potty trained in 24 hours, and their kids are already world changers for Jesus...my realization it doesn't matter what I see on facebook I know their reality is like mine...despite what it looks like on this side of the screen, because nobodies life is perfect. Nobody gets it right one hundred percent of the time. No matter what they are doing, no matter what size of the impact they are making, they are just as human as we are.
Lightbulb...
we cannot spend time comparing our journey to someone elses...we aren't on the same road, God has a different plan for each of us. It is a waste of time for me to sit around think about how I'm not measuring up to what God has called someone else to. Pray and seek the plan that God has for you, stay focused on that, help each other stay focused on their specific goals, lets strive together forward, looking to God and leaning on his will and direction.
My new years, my goals is to press into Jesus, seek him, let him revolutionize the little things so that the big things fall into place. Focus on my journey, pray for my friends on their journey and the great thing?? while we are focusing forward together we get to lean on each other and turn each other to Jesus when we are spinning our wheels.
Don't run on your power seek the unending power, the one that can help you change your world and conquer all that he has called you to this year and all the years to come! He's got some pretty great things in store for all of us!!
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.
Hebrews 12:1-2
until we meet again...
So we pray through these resolutions, these changes we feel need to take place to help us be better. One morning, it was New Years Day, I saw a friend post on facebook, how her daughter asked her what her new years revolutions were. Revolution...she said she laughed...but then she got to thinking and praying about what that revolution would be and what it would look like. she said it looks like Jesus, Jesus revolutionizing us, our hearts, our lives, our habits, our relationships. Seeking God first, seeking his priorities, his will for us. Those things, those resolutions or revolutions will stick, those will transform lives. Those will make the biggest difference and make us the best us possible. Revolutions...this facebook post stayed with me...as most of hers do. You really should follow Jackie Hooks on Facebook. Its so inspiring how she loves Jesus, because Jesus is big, much bigger than we often give him credit for. Each day as I have been pursuing what God has in store for this year that has stuck with me.
The great thing about life is its ever changing, even if you are at a place you want to change just give it time it will, the crazy thing about the change is most of the time it isn't necessarily what you want it to be. The only way to ensure that it is the change you want, initiate it, pursue it, and get comfortable in the midst of it, pray through it, lean in and push forward. In the last seven years that's what I've learned about change, resolutions. I know that God has big adventures ahead for us this year and the years to come. As I was thinking on these things and talking with friends about what we can do to be better mommas for our kids, and just to be better. The struggle is real and intense most days especially when your in the trenches just praying you're making the right choices and making a difference in your children's lives.
The thing we all struggled with was comparing ourselves to others. You know, you have those friends who are throwing pintrest parties, having facebook worthy posts about their family life every day, hitting the mark, potty trained in 24 hours, and their kids are already world changers for Jesus...my realization it doesn't matter what I see on facebook I know their reality is like mine...despite what it looks like on this side of the screen, because nobodies life is perfect. Nobody gets it right one hundred percent of the time. No matter what they are doing, no matter what size of the impact they are making, they are just as human as we are.
Lightbulb...
we cannot spend time comparing our journey to someone elses...we aren't on the same road, God has a different plan for each of us. It is a waste of time for me to sit around think about how I'm not measuring up to what God has called someone else to. Pray and seek the plan that God has for you, stay focused on that, help each other stay focused on their specific goals, lets strive together forward, looking to God and leaning on his will and direction.
My new years, my goals is to press into Jesus, seek him, let him revolutionize the little things so that the big things fall into place. Focus on my journey, pray for my friends on their journey and the great thing?? while we are focusing forward together we get to lean on each other and turn each other to Jesus when we are spinning our wheels.
Don't run on your power seek the unending power, the one that can help you change your world and conquer all that he has called you to this year and all the years to come! He's got some pretty great things in store for all of us!!
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.
Hebrews 12:1-2
until we meet again...
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